Duchess of Sussex makes surprise visit to Smart Works charity

The Duchess of Sussex has made a surprise appearance  at a fashion photoshoot for the charity Smart Works in a behind-the-scenes video shared on the Sussex Royal Instagram account today.

In the clip, shared to Instagram Stories, the Duchess is seen helping coordinate the shoot for the capsule collection she is spearheading in partnership with the women's organisation.

Smart Works, one of her first patronages, helps women, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, get interview-ready by providing them with a new outfit and coaching from a team of volunteer mentors.

The video is captioned: "Sneak peek at the new Smart Works charity capsule collection shoot, ahead of the autumn launch.

"An initiative supporting the Smart Works collective which will equip women entering the work force with the key work wear essentials they need… Coming soon."

The new line will be in aid of charity and was announced following the launch of her Vogue magazine campaign.

Writing in the September edition of Vogue which she guest-edited, she said: "When you walk into a Smart Works space you're met with racks of clothing and an array of bags and shoes.

"Sometimes, however, it can be a potpourri of mismatched sizes and colors, not always the right stylistic choices or range of sizes.'

"To help with this, I asked Marks & Spencer, John Lewis & Partners, Jigsaw and my friends, the designer Mischa Nonoo, if they were willing to design a capsule collection of more classic options for a workwear wardrobe.

"Taking the idea further, many of the brands agreed to use the one-for-one model: for each item purchased by a customer, one is donated to the charity. Not only does this allow us to be part of each other's story, it reminds us we are in it together."